Response of Reformist Activists to Recent Protests

As protests continue in Iran, entering their seventh day on Wednesday, January 3rd, the reactions and recommendations from reformists in the country regarding recent events persist. On Wednesday, the Iranian Labor News Agency, ILNA, conducted an interview with Mostafa Moeen, former Minister of Science in Mohammad Khatami's reformist government, in which he stated that the right to protest must be recognized for the people. Mr. Moeen said: "According to the constitution, this right must be recognized by the entire system, and on the other hand, protesters must express their demands civilly and peacefully, without damaging public property, violence, disrespect, or insulting the sacred and national identity of their country." In this interview, the former Minister of Science also referred to the recent nationwide protests as sparked by "provocations and slogans from government opponents in Mashhad." He stated: "The provocations and slogans from government opponents in Mashhad, which got out of control, ignited nationwide protests stemming from the suppressed anger of the people and the humiliation felt by the youth due to unemployment, poverty, and widespread corruption in the country's structure." Mr. Moeen did not elaborate further, but it seems he was referring to events related to the summons of the Imam of Mashhad, which was later denied by his office. The new wave of protests in the country began last Thursday in Mashhad with slogans about the poor economic conditions of the people but quickly took on a political form, including slogans like "Death to Khamenei." Last Saturday, several channels on Telegram, including one linked to Gholamhossein Karbaschi, Secretary-General of the Executives of Construction Party, reported that Ali Shamkhani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, severely reprimanded Ahmad Alamolhoda due to "his behind-the-scenes actions in the Mashhad gathering" and stated that his case would be sent to the Special Court for Clergy. Shortly after, Mr. Alamolhoda's official website denied this news. On Wednesday, ILNA also published a statement from the reformist People’s Democracy Party, which stated: "In such conditions where protests have turned into chaos... legal action against the riots, without resorting to violence and without creating a security atmosphere in society, is an undeniable necessity." The statement also noted: "These protests and riots will soon come to an end, but the apparent calm after the end of these protests cannot mean the absolution of those responsible and the complete resolution of the people's problems and concerns." On Wednesday, Mostafa Tajzadeh, a member of the Participation Front and a former official in the Ministry of Interior during Khatami's government, also emphasized the right to protest for the people in a Twitter message. Mr. Tajzadeh wrote: "The government must recognize the public right of Iranians to protest, pay attention to the demands of the protesters, and reform itself so that we do not face the fate of Syria." Previously, Mohammad Reza Khatami, brother of former President Mohammad Khatami, had also advised the people not to resort to violence and urged Hassan Rouhani's government to "not stigmatize the people and recognize their anger." A week after the protests began, according to official statistics, over a thousand people have been arrested, and at least 22 have lost their lives in the clashes. Using Twitter and ILNA. F. Dood.